Pre-fabricated door frame and casing



Jan. 4, 1966 G. WORKMON 3,226,775

PRE-FABRICATED noon FRAME AND CASING Filed May 21, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J GEORGE WORKMO/V INVE N 70/? MYM Jan. 4, 1966 G. WORKMON FEE-FABRICATED DOOR FRAME AND CASING 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 21, 1963 aw; i

I m: u u m 3% ylw 3 Q R m n 3 m TI bu I 7 lg GEORGE WORKMOV INVENTOR g ATTORNEVS United States Patent 3,226,775 PRE-FABRICATED DOOR FRAME AND CASING George Workmon, Fresno, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Eugene R. Kuzman, Portland, Greg. Filed May 21, 1963, Ser. No. 281,970 6 Claims. (CI. -16) tion of residential and other buildings include a provision for at least outside doors permitting access to the building, as well a sother doors supported on inside wall structures. The general configuration of such doors is usually rectangular affording laterally opposed side edges and opposite end edges, one of which is upwardly disposed when mounted in the building for swinging movement. Normally, such doors aresuppoited for swing ing movement by a plurality of hinges secured to one of the side edges of the door and to one side of the door frame. Previously known door frames have necessarily been constructed in two alternate forms, one adapted to support a door by hinges mounted at the left side of the frame, the other form adapted to support the door by hinges mounted at its right side. Heretofore, no prefabricated door frame structure has been devised which is universally adaptable for both left and right mountings of a door.

Lumber planing mills and other fabricators of doors and door frames intendedfor use in buildings, such as residential constructions, have .long sought fora prefabricated door frame which permits installation at the construction site 'to accommodate either a left or right door mounting. The initial step toward such a goal was a change from the long standing carpentry practice of installing the upper and lower mounting hinges at 7 and 11 inches inwardly spaced from the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the door. As is now the standard practice, such hinges were inortised in one of the side edges of the door. Therefore, with such a hinge mounting, the door was capable of being used on only one side of the door frame, e.g., if the door were mounted from the right side, such a door could not be installed in the same door frame to swing from the left side, since the portions of the door removed in mortising the side edge to receive the hinges would then be exposed to View.

In addition, the door knob of a standard six foot, eight inch door is conventionally installed at a distance three feet from the end edge selected as the lower edge of the door. Consequently, if the door were turned end for end to permit swinging from the opposite side of the ner so that the knob is positioned precisely equidistantly from the end edges of the door. Illustrative dimensions for such a door fabrication is nine inches for each hinge mounting, spaced inwardly from the respective end of the door, and three feet four inches for the spacing of the door knob from each end of the door. With such a construction, the door fabricator needproduce only i one form of door which then can be mounted in a door frame for swinging from either side of the frame, either as a left hand or a right-hand door. Therefore, the fabricator can reduce his inventory of finished goods by one-half, since he need not stock two forms of doors with pro-hung hinges. Of course, this practice is followed only in that style of door which permits a reversal of the end edges so that either may be used as the upper or lower end edge. This is characteristic of the flush, or so'called slab doors, or any door which is symmetrical on opposite sides of a horizontal dividing line.

Although architectural practices have progressed to the point of providing so-called reversible doors, which are neither left nor-right-handed before installation, two alternate forms of door frames must be maintained in stock by suppliers of such goods to accommodatebuildersWho must install a plurality of doors, some of which are to be mounted for left-hand swinging, while others for right-hand swinging. There is likelihood of misunderstanding as to what is meant by a left or right-hand swinging door, since the direction will be reversed when viewed from opposite sides of the wall. Such misunderstanding frequently results in errors in the purchase and supply of pro-fabricated door frames. Such errors needlessly add to construction costs and-represent a considerable monetary loss, both in time and materials to the contractor, as well as the door frame fabricator. Therefore, a great need has existed for a pre-fabricated door frame which could be supplied to the contractor for installation at the construction site and which is equally well suited for left-hand as well as right-hand swinging doors. For purposes of the present description, the direction of door mounting will be defined as that side of the door on which the hinges are mounted when viewed by a person facing one side of the wall, the door swinging toward the viewer when moved from a closed position to an open position.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pre-fabricated door frame and casing unit which is adaptable for use with both left-hand and righthand swinging doors.

Another object of the invention is to provide a partially assembled, pre-fabricated door frame and casing unit which materially reduces the cost of building construction.

Another object is to provide a pre-fabricated door frame and casing unit which requires a minimum of skill to assemble and install at a construction site.

Another object is to provide a partially assembled prefabricated door frame and casing unit which means to insure an automatic squaring of the frame during assembly.

A further object is to provide a pro-fabricated door frame and casing unit having intersecting members which automatically form a matched joint when assembled.

A still further object is to provide a pre-fabricateddoor frame and casing which is adaptable for both coped joints as well as mitered joints for the inside corners of intersecting trim members normally employed in such structures.

These, together, with other objects, will become more fully apparent upon reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation, partly in vertical section, of a pre-fabricated door frame and easing embodying the principles of the present invention, and shown with a door mounted therein for right-hand swinging movement.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in vertical, transverse section taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in section, of the upper right-hand corner of the door frame shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view in horizontal, transverse section taken on line 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded view in perspective of the structure shown in FIG. 1, the individual elements beng shown in a separated condition and intended for installation to afford a left-hand mounting for the door.

FIG. 6 is a somewhat schematic view of the pro-fabricated door frame and easing shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the steps employed during assembly thereof at the construction site.

FIG. 7 is a second form of the invention particularly adapted to accommodate casing members provided with a mitered joint and showing a door mounted thereon for left-hand swinging movement.

FIG. 8 is the door frame and easing of FIG. 7 installed to provide a right-hand door mounting.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, a wall 10 is supported on a floor 11 of a building construction, only fragmentarily illustrated by the portions of the wall and floor shown. It is to be understood that the floor 11 is the subfioor of the building and that a finished floor, such as hard wood flooring, tile, or the like, or that a floor covering such as carpeting, will subsequently be employed over the sub-floor 11. The wall 10 is supported on the floor 11 by a bottom plate 12 rigidly secured thereto, as by building spikes, and includes a plurality of substantially vertical, horizontally spaced studs 13. The studs are spaced longitudinally of the plate 12 at uniform intervals conforming to architectural standards and are interconnected at their upper ends by a pair of top plates 14.

When it is desired to rough frame an opening for a door, a pair of vertical rough frame members in the form of spaced filler, or trim, studs 15 and 16 are rigidly secured to adjoining studs 13 and connected at their upper ends by a transverse header member 17. When intended for use in combination with the unit of the present invention of dimensions subsequently referred to herein adapted for commercial employment, the transverse header memher is ideally dimensioned at a length precisely 5 and /8 inches greater than the width of the door to be installed in the substantially rectangular rough opening defined by the floor 11, the spaced substantially vertical filler studs 15 and 16, and the transverse header member 17. The wall is provided with a surface covering 18, so that the wall has a total predetermined thickness. For the purposes of the present description, the type of wall covering is immaterial. The invention is equally well suited to conventional lath and plaster, as well as contemporary forms of dry wall construction, so long as the wall has a predetermined thickness.

During construction of the wall 10 and the formation of the door opening therein, workmen engaged in the rough carpentry phase of such construction normally are not required to maintain precise rectangular relation between the members defining the rough opening. However, in conformity with established building standards they are expected to maintain such members in substantially rectangular relationship so that the upper end of each of the filler studs is Within We of an inch, or less, of being vertically aligned, or in plumb, with its respective lower end. The pre-fabricated door frame and casing of the present invention readily accommodates the range of departures from a squared condition of the rough opening, as permittedv by contemporary building standards.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the pre-fabricated door frame and casing of the present invention includes a lefthand side jamb assembly 20, a right-hand side jamb assembly 21 and a head jamb assembly 22. The relative terms left and right employed for the side jamb assemblies 20 and 21 are with reference to their relative positions as viewed in these figures. As will become apparent during the description, the side jamb assemblies 20 and 21 are adapted for reversal of relative positions to permit mounting of the door at either side of the rough opening provided in the Wall 10.

As viewed in FIG. 1, an upper hinge 25 and a lower hinge 26 are individually mounted on the right side jamb assembly 21. Each of the hinges is formed of two individual elements indicated by 25d and 25f and 26d and 26}, respectively, to denote their being supported on a door 27 and the jamb 22, respectively. The door 27 is of substantially rectangular form and provides opposed side edges 28 and 29, respectively, at the left and right-hand side of the door, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4.

The door 27 also provides opposed end edges 30 and 31, which in FIG. 1 are disposed as the respective upper and lower end edges of the door. It will be observed as the description progresses, that the reference numerals employed to designate the end and side edges in FIGS. 1 and 4 will be employed for the same respective edges in subsequent figures, even though a reversal of relative positions occurs when the door is reversed for a left-hand mounting, as viewed in FIG. 5. Accordingly, for descriptive convenience, the right-hand mounting, as viewed in FIG. 1, will be considered a normal mounting, while the left-hand mounting, as illustrated in FIG. 5, will beconsidered a reverse mounting. Although the terms normal" and reverse are convenient references, it is to be understood that the invention may be employed to equal advantage in either type of mounting.

A knob is mounted inthe door and extends from a conventional latch assembly, not shown, but mounted internally of the door in a concealed position. Such latch assembly normally includes a latch bolt 36 mounted for longitudinal reciprocation in the door between an extended position, as shown, and a withdrawn released position. The latch bolt 36 is adapted to engage a strike plate 3 7 as the door is moved toward a closed position. The strike plate 37 is mortised in the left side jamb assembly 20' and is provided with a receiving aperture 38 to accommodate the latch bolt 36.

The door 27 is supported for swinging movement about a substantially vertical pivotal axi by means of upper and lower hinge pins 40 and 41 which are shown in FIG. 1 as being only partially inserted into the hinges 25 and 26. The hinge pins 40 and 41 provide a substantially vertical axis adjacent to a selective one of the vertical frame members constituted by the left and right filler stud 15 and 16. Accordingly, the door is mounted for swinging movement between a closed position blocking the rough opening to selective open positions aifording passage therethrough.

Each of the side jamb assemblie 20 and 21 is substantially identical prior to mounting of the hinges 25 and 26 and the strike plate 37 on a respective one of said jamb assemblies. Therefore, a description of only one of the jamb assemblies will sufiice, identical reference numerals being employed to identify corresponding portions of each.

As can be S8611 in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the side jamb assemblies includes a side jamb member St) of predetermined length to provide opposite end 51 and 52. The jamb member is also of predetermined transverse crosssectional dimensions thereby affording opposed lateral edges 53 and 54 at a width to accommodate the predetermined thickness of the wall. Merely illustrative of certain dimensions required to conform to architectural practices, the edges 53 and 54 are spaced at a distance of 4% inches to accommodate a corresponding wall thickness, such thickness being determined by the studs 15 and 16 at a width of 3 /8 inches and the combined thickness of the Wall coverings 18 equal to 1 inch.

To complete the side jamb assemblies 20 and 21, a pair of laterally opposed casing members 55 and 56 are rigidly secured to the side jamb member 50 in a predetermined relationship. As can be seen in FIG. 5, such predetermined relationship affords upper and lower ends 57 and 58 of the casing member 55 and upper and lower ends 59 and 60 of the casing member 56, projecting at uniform distances from the respective upper and lower ends 51 and 52 of the jamb member 50. In FIG. 5, the lower ends 58 and 60 are shown in dashed lines to indicate that these ends are to be removed, as by sawing, prior to installation so that the casing members 55 and 56 are substantially flush with the lower end 52 of the side jamb member. Such a flush cut is made prior to installation of the door frame, but after the direction of door swing has been determined. Therefore, it will be observed that if the door is to be mounted for aright-hand swing, as viewed in FIG. 1, the ends 57 and 59 which are normally termed the upper ends in FIG. 5, then assume a lower relative position and are sawed flush with the edge 51 of the jamb member 50.

A door stop 65 is also rigidly secured to the side jamb member 50 in a predetermined relationship to provide an abutment edge 66 which contacts the door when in a closed position. An upper end 67 and a lower end 68 are inwardly and equidistantly spaced from the respective end edges 51 and 52 of the side jamb member 50. In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the end edges 67 and 68 of thedoor stop serve as points of reference to limit the lower position of the head jamb assembly 22 when in an install-ed assembled position. Merely as a further illustration of the relative dimensions, the end edges 67 and 68 are inwardly spaced from the end edges 51 and 52 at a distance of inch which corresponds to the thickness of the jamb member ubsequently to be described and incorporated into te head jamb assembly 22. To provide the commonly accepted clearance between the upwardly disposed end edge of the door and .the head jamb assembly, the side door stop 65 should be of a length to dispose the end edges 67 and 68 at a distance of /e of an inch vertically spaced away from the adjacent end edge of the door, when mounted on the hinges 25 and 26. r

The head jamb assembly 22 incorporates ahead jamb member 70 of predetermined thickness, such as inch set forth above. The head jamb member 70 provides opposite end edges 71 and 72 spaced at a distance sufficient to provide a predetermined clearance between the side edges 28 and 29 of the door and their-respective adjacent side jamb members 50, such as the commonly accepted clearance of of an inch. To provide such clearance, the head jamb member 70 should be A of an inch greater in length than the width of the door 27. t The head jamb member 70 is of predetermined cross-sectional dimensions corresponding to that of the side jamb member 50 to provide opposed lateral edges 73 and 74 to accommodate the .width of the wall 10. Opposed head casing members 75 and 76 are rigidly secured to the lateral edges 73 and 74, by any suitable means, such as nails or elongated staples, such as those illustrated in FIG. 2. Each of the head casing members 75 and 76 provides respective left figuration to match the profile of the particular side casing members 55 and 56. The configuration of the surface 81 .is such in the first form of the invention to provide a matched joint of the type referred to as a coped joint,

as can be seen in FIG. 5. Such amatched jointis formed by the opposite ends of the head casing members 75 and 76 which abut, inintersecting relationship, the respec- Itive casings 55 and 56 of the side jamb assemblies when in an installed position.

To facilitate installation of. the pre-fabricated as-semblies and to urge the cooperating side jamb assemblies and 21 into a rectangular relationship with the head jamb assembly 22, each of the jamb members 50 and 70 carries a pair of laterally spaced locator elements spaced inwardly from each of their respective opposite ends. The

, semblies by means of retaining screws 95. Each of the springs is of a free height of approximately inch, which conforms to architectural practices of providing inch clearance between the members defining the rough opening for the door frame and the jamb members 50 and 70. In the preferred form of the invention, the springs 91 secured to the jamb assembly 21, to which the hinges 25 and 26 are secured, are fabricated to provide a higher spring rate. Stated differently, the springs 91 require a greater force per unit of deflection than that required to compress the springs 90.

Operation Theoperation and significant utility of the described embodiment of the subject invention are believed to be readily apparent and are briefly summarized at this point. Assuming that a substantially rectangular rough opening has been provided in the wall 10 and defined by the subfioor 11, the filler studs 15 and 16 and the header member 17, the pre-fabricated door frame and casing of the present invention can be supplied to accommodate the thickness of the wall It) and selectively to afford a door mounting for either a left or right-hand opening swing. Stated difierently, the substantially vertical pivotal axis for the door can be provided adjacent to a selective one of the studs 15 and 16, which constitute spaced substantially vertical rough frame members defining the opening.

Assuming that the pre-fabricated door frame and casing is to be installed to provide a left-hand door mounting, such as illustrated in FIG. 5, either of the side jamb assemblies 20 or 21 is first installed in a substantially vertical position, as shown in FIG. 6. Assuming that the side jamb assembly 20, which bears the latch plate 37, is installed initially, the next step is to dispose the side jamb assembly 21 diagonally in the opening in a position substantially corresponding to that illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein the upper end 57 of the side casing member 55 is at a position suificiently spaced from the header member 17 to admit one end of the head jamb assembly 22. The head jamb assembly 22 is then inserted into the rough opening, with the end opposite from the substantially vertical side jamb assembly 20 in contact with the header member 17. Subsequently, the end adjacent to the jambassembly 20 is then moved into contact with the header 17 and intersecting casing members and 55 urgedinto abutting relationship so that the joining surface 81 engages the profile of the casing member 55. The side jamb assembly 21 is then urged into contact with the filler stud 15 so that it assumes a substantially vertical position. The left end of the head jamb assembly 22, as viewed in FIG. 6, isconsequently urged into contact with the side jamb assembly 21 so that the intersecting casing members form a matched joint of the coped YD The door 27 is then secured to the side jamb assembly -21 by means of the hinge pins 40 and 41. It will be observed in FIG. 5 that the hinges 25 and 26 are reversed from the relative upper and lower positions of FIG. 1. The door 27 is then moved to a closed position in abutment with the edge surface 66 afforded by the door stop 65. Spacer blocks 97 and 98 are then inserted respectively between the then upwardly disposed edge 31 of the door 27 and the head jamb member 70 and between the side edge 28 and the side jamb member 50 of the jamb assembly 20. The thickness of the spacer blocks corresponds to the desired predetermined clearance between the door and the adjacent jamb members, such as the inch indicated above. Due to the fact that the side jamb members 50 are prevented from assuming any position departing from predetermined rectilinear dimensions by reason of the side casing members 55 and 56 rigidly secured thereto, and in like manner the head jamb member 70 is maintained in a straight, or square, condition, squaring of the individual assemblies 20, 21 and 22 in an assembled condition is at all times insured by reason of the blocks 97 and 98, in conjunction with the locator elements in the form of the springs 90, 91 and 92. The hinges 25 and 26, in accordance with commonly accepted manufacturing practices, provide a uniform clearance between the side edge 29 of the door and the respective adjacent side jamb 56.

If the rough opening, which is defined by the floor 11 and the trim studs and 16 in conjunction with the header member 17, is not precisely rectangular, but within the permissible limits of professional carpentry practices, the springs 91 will exert a greater force against the lower rate springs 90 thereby compressing the same and automatically urging the jamb assemblies into rectangular, assembled relationship. While the assemblies are in such rectangular relationship, the side casing members 55 and 56 as well as the head casing members 75 and 76 are rigidly secured to the wall as by conventional finish carpentry nails indicated at 99 in FIG. 2. After so securing the side and head jamb assemblies 20, 21, and 22, the door may then be opened and the spacer blocks 97 and 98 removed.

In the aforegoing installation, it will be assumed that the sub-floor 11 was substantially level, as determined in a horizontal plane extending between the filler studs 15 and 16. Prior to installation of the door frame and casing, the floor 11 must first be checked for any departure from such a level plane. When a departure is observed, the lower end of that side jamb assembly which is to be installed above the highest portion of the floor adjacent to one of the filler studs 15 and 16 must first he reduced in length to correspond to such vertical departure. This reduction in length is in addition to the removal of the lower ends of the side casing members, such as those indicated in dashed lines and designated as 58 and 56 in Fig. 5. If the sub-floor is substantially horizontal, the side casing members are merely cut flush with the lower end 52 of the side jamb member 50. Accordingly, the reference point 67 will then be disposed at a predetermined elevation above the fioor so that the then upwardly disposed end edge 31 of the door 27 will swing in a predetermined horizontal plane as the door pivots about the axis afforded by the hinge pins 40 and 41 in conjunction with the hinges and 26.

Assuming that the door is to be mounted for a righthand swing, as viewed in Fig. 1, the relative positions of the side jamb assemblies 20 and 21 are reversed so that previously designated lower portions are now in a relatively upper position and that the previously designated left-hand mounting for the door is now a right-hand mounting. Accordingly, the lower portions of the side jamb assemblies 20 and 21 would then be sawed flush with the end edges 51 of the side jamb members 50, so that those casing end portions designated as 57 and 59 in Fig. 5 would be removed to facilitate installation for a righthand swinging door as illustrated in Fig. 1. The end surface 63 of the door stop would then serve as a reference point to locate the position of the head jamb assembly 22 and to dispose the then upwardly presented end edge of the door in the same horizontal plane, as that of the edge 31 when the door was mounted for a left-hand swinging movement. In all other respects, the assembly and installation of the head jamb assembly is identical regardless of whether the door is mounted for a left or right-hand swing.

Second form The second form of the invention is illustrated in Figs.

7 and 8 and is substantially identical in all major respects to the first form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-6 and corresponding reference numerals are used for like elements. The second form is designed specifically to accommodate a matched joint of intersecting casing members of the mitered style of inside corner. However, to accommodate such a mitered joint, the side jamb members 50 must include an increment, or module, of elongation equal to a distance corresponding to the clearance in excess of 43 inch and provided beneath the lower end edge of the door and the sub-floor, such as that required to accommodate the thickness of the floor covering. This module of excess clearance is indicated at M in Fig. 7. In addition, the adjacent end of the side casing members must be extended to insure sutficient material to form a mitered joint regardless of which end of the side jamb assembly is used as an upper end to provide intersecting casing members to form a matched joint with the respective head casing members of the head jamb assembly 22.

Due to the increase in length of the side jamb members 50, the door stop 65 is extended a corresponding distance to dispose the lower end 68 of the door stop, as viewed in Fig. 7, in contact with the floor 11. it will be observed that side casing members 55 are provided with miter-cut beveled end portions 157 and 158, which are in respective upper and lower positions in Fig. 7, and in reversed positions in Fig. 8. The side casing members on the opposite side of the wall It), which are not visible in Figs. 7 and 8, are likewise provided with substantially identical mitercut projecting end portions, such as 157 and 158. Each end portion is provided with a joining surface 182 which proceeds from an inner point 183 and terminates at an outer point 184. The inner point 183 is disposed longitudinally of the side jamb member at a location corresponding to that of the adjacent respective end of the door stop 65, such as either of the ends 67 or 68. Accordingly, the inside initial point 183 also serves as a reference point to determine the lower position of the head jamb assembly 22 when in an installed position.

However, it will be observed in Fig. 7 that the then upwardly disposed edge 31' of the door is spaced vertically from the upwardly disposed reference point 183 at a distance corresponding to the predetermined clearance, such as the inch discussed in connection with the first form. The then lower disposed end edge 30 of the door, as shown in Fig. 7, is spaced vertically from the lower reference point 183 at a distance of the desired clearance /8 inch, plus an excess clearance equal to the aforesaid module of elongation necessary to extend the door stop to the floor 11. This elongation accommodates the required increase in length of the side casing member 55 to permit formation of a matched joint of the mitered style in the event that the end 158 were to be used as the upper end in intersecting relationship with side casing member of the head jamb assembly. Consequently, if the side jamb assembly 21 were merely inverted to accommodate installation at the right side of the rough opening, as illustrated in Fig. 8, the door would be shifted vertically, downwardly a distance corresponding to the aforesaid module of elongation. To accommodate such a vertical shift, the hinges 25 and 26v must be formed with cooperating laterally projecting eyes, included at 25c and 26a, respectively, of equal longitudinal dimensions so that each pair of eyes, when in an assembled condition, constitutes a module substantially equal invertical distance to that of the module of elongation. Stated differently, the vertical height of each of the hinge eyes 25:: and 26a is substantially /2 of such module of elongation. The hinge eyes are provided with a suitable bore to receive a respective one of the hinge pins 40 and 41.

The strike plate 37 must correspondingly be provided with a pair of latch receiving apertures 138 and 139 spaced vertically from each other at a distance corresponding to the aforementioned module of excess clearance, or elongation of the side jamb assembly bearing the hinges 25 and 26. Accordingly, the latch 36 is then received in the aperture 138 when mounted for movement as a lefthand mounted door in FIG. 7 and is received in the aperture 139 when mounted as a right-hand door, as shown in FIG. 8.

The assembly and installation of the second form of the invention is substantially identical to that of the first form. The departure from horizontal, if any, of the sub-floor 11 is first determined and noted. The side jamb assembly bearing the hinge elements 25 and 261' is then selected for installation in the rough opening at an appropriate side to provide the desired left or right-hand mounting of the door 27. The projecting ends of the side casing members, such as 55, are then sawed flush with the end of the side jamb member, provision being made for compensatory adjustment which must be made for any floor departure from horizontal. The projecting ends of the casing members of the intended lower end of the side jamb assembly 20 are likewise cut flush with the intended lower end of their respective side jamb member, due regard being given any required compensatory adjustment as above. The side jamb assemblies 20 and 21 and the head jamb assembly are then installed in the rough opening as described above in connection with FIG. 6. As in the first form of the invention, the locator elements in the form of the springs 90, 91, and 92, in combination with the blocks 97 and 98 placed respectively at the upwardly disposed end edge and the latch side edge of the door, insure a uniform clearance at the side and upper end edges of the door, as well as automatically squaring the door frame and casing during assembly. Consequently, the installation can be made in a minimum of time without the necessity of using a plumb bob, a square, and/ or a level to determine the installed position of the door frame.

Assuming that the door is to be mounted for a righthand swing, as shown in FIG. 8, the hinge eyes 25c and 26a of the hinge members 25d and 26d are shifted vertically from the position shown in FIG. 7 relative to the hinge members 25 and 26 a distance equal to one-half of the module of excess clearance. This vertical shift of relative positions is necessary to accommodate the excess clearance provided at that end of the door which is in the relatively lower position in FIG. 7. Accordingly, regardless of whether the door is mounted for aright or left-hand swing, the then upwardly disposed edge is supported for movement in a predetermined horizontal plane.

Accordingly, it will be observed that the invention provides a partially assembled, pre-fabricated door frame and easing which can accommodate either a coped style or mitered style of matched joint at the inside corners of intersecting casing members. The invention also reduces the necessity of door frame fabricators carrying two types of door frames in their finished goods inventory. This greatly reduces the cost to the fabricator, as well as eliminating the ever-present possibility of errors in supply. The door frame is equally adaptable to a right or lefthand door mounting and is readily installed at the construction site by carpenters of average skill without requiring special tools and time consuming installation procedures required with previously known door frames.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A partially assembled, pre-fabricated door frame and easing comprising a pair of side jamb assemblies each having an elongated jamb affording lateral edges and opposed casing members secured to said edges and oppositely longitudinally extended substantially uniformly beyond the jamb ends; a head jamb assembly having an elongated head jamb and opposed casing members secured to the lateral edges thereof, each casing member providing opposite ends substantially uniformly longitudinally extended beyond the head jamb and having configurations to abut the upwardly disposed projecting ends of said side casings when in the selected installed position so that a matched angular joint is formed at each abutting end, said head jamb assembly including means to limit movement of said side assemblies toward each other, and means spaced from each end of said side assemblies for alternative abutment with the ends of said head assembly to determine a respective point of elevational reference; and door mounting means secured to one side assembly for supporting a rectangular door for swinging movement about selective alternative vertical axes at opposite sides of the frame with the selected upper edge of the door in a predetermined plane relative to said point of elevational reference.

2. A partially assembled, pre-fabricated door frame and casing for insertion into a substantially rectangular wall opening defined by rough framing members, comprising a pair of pre-fabricated side jamb assemblies affording opposite ends, each assembly having an elongated jamb and laterally opposed casing members secured to the opposite lateral edges of its respective jamb, the casing members being substantially uniformly extended beyond the jambto provide respective projecting opposite ends, each side jamb assembly having door stop means providing an elevational reference point adjacent to each of the opposite ends thereof; a head jamb assembly having an elongated head jamb and opposed casing members in a relationship to provide opposite casing ends substantially uniformly projected beyond the ends of the head jamb and having a configuration to abut the upwardly disposed projecting ends of respective casings of said side assemblies when in an installed position so that a matched angular joint is formed, said head jamb assembly having means to limit movement of said side assemblies toward each other; and door mounting means secured to one of said side assemblies in a predetermined position to support a rectangular door for swinging movement about selective vertical axes at opposite sides of the frame with the selected upper edge of the door in a predetermined plane relative to said elevational point of reference.

3. A partially assembled pre-fabricated door frame and casing for insertion into a wall opening defined by a floor and rough frame members comprising a pair of side assemblies; and a head assembly, said side assemblies each having an elongated jamb providing opposite ends and lateral edges with opposed casing members secured to said edges and providing opposite substantially square-cut ends projecting substantially uniformly beyond the jamb, the side jamb assemblies each having an elongated door stop secured to each of said side jambs providing opposite stop ends respectively substantially equidistantly inwardly spaced from said square-cut ends so that selective alternative reference points for said side assemblies are provided for abutment by said head assembly to determine the installed elevation of the head assembly in said opening, said head assembly having a head jamb providing opposite ends and opposed elongated casing members secured to the lateral edges of said head jamb to provide opposite casing ends substantially uniformly projected beyond the head jamb, said casing ends being provided with a configuration to abut the projecting ends of respective casings of said side assemblies when in an installed position so that a matched joint of a coped style is formed, said spaced opposite ends of the head abutting and spacing the side assemblies; frame hinge means secured to one of said side assemblies in respective predetermined positions to support a rectangular door for swinging movement about selective alternative vertical axes at opposite sides of the frame; hinge means secured to one of the side edges of said door in corresponding predetermined positions to the frame hinge means so that a pivotal axis is selectively disposed adjacent to either side of said opening when the assemblies are installed and the upwardly disposed end edge of the door is maintained in substantialy the 'same plane regardless of the selective disposition of said axis; and pivot means interconnecting the hinge means of the frame and the door for relative pivotal movement on said axis.

4. The pie-fabricated door frame and casing of claim 3 wherein each of said side jamb assemblies carry locator elements respectively disposed adjacent to the ends of each of said assemblies and adapted to engage, when inserted in said opening, respectively adjacent frame members defining said opening.

5. In combination with a substantially rectangular door affording spaced opposite end and side edges and having a pair of door hinge elements mounted on a side edge and spaced predetermined respective distance from one of said end edges, a latch assembly mounted internally of the door adjacent to the side edge opposite to the hinge elements and having a knob extending therefrom at a point substantially equidistant from said end edges and a latch extending from said opposite side edge and adapted for reciprocal movement along a path of travel equidistantly spaced from said end edges; a partially assembled pre-fabricated door frame and casing for insertion into a wall opening defined by a floor, two spaced, substantially vertical frame members, and a transverse header and comprising a pair of side assemblies and a head assembly, each side assembly having an elongated jamb providing opposite ends and lateral edges with laterally opposed casing members secured to the opposite lateral edges of the jamb, the casing members providing respective opposite miter-cut ends extended substantially uniformly beyond their respective jamb, each side assembly having an elongated door stop secured to its side jamb and provided with opposite ends respectively substantially equidistantly inwardly spaced from said miter-cut ends to serve as selective alternative reference points in abutment with said head assembly to determine the installed elevation thereof, said head assembly having an elongated head jamb and providing opposite ends and lateral edges with laterally opposed elongated casing members secured to the lateral edges of the head jamb and having opposite miter-cut casing ends substantially uniformly projected beyond the ends of said jamb so that a matched joint of a mitered style is formed by the abutting ends of intersecting abutting casings, said ends of the head jamb abutting corresponding ends of the jambs of the side assemblies to afford a predetermined clearance at each side edge of the door; a pair of jamb hinge elements secured to one of said jambs of a side assembly in spaced relation to opposite ends thereof, one of said hinge elements being spaced inwardly from its respective miter-cut casing end at a predetermined distance to provide a predetermined clearance between the adjacent end edge of the door and the head assembly when installed and the other of said jamb hinge elements being spaced inwardly from its respective miter-cut casing end at said predetermined distance plus a predetermined module of excess clearance, both said door hinge elements and said jamb hinge elements being fabricated and dimensioned to provide an equal number of laterally extending hinge eyes provided with respectively aligned longitudinally extended bores adapted to receive a hinge pin, each of said eyes having a vertical height substantally equal to onehalf of said module of excess clearance; a hinge pin interconnecting each of said door hinge elements with its respective jamb hinge element for selective alternative mounting of said door with either of its end edges being upwardly disposed in a predetermined horizontal plane; and a latch plate secured to the side jamb opposite to the hinge elements and provided with alternative latch receiving bores and located at a predetermined position so that one of said bores is aligned with said latch when one of said door end edges is upwardly disposed and the other bore is aligned with the latch when the other of said end edges is upwardly disposed.

6. The pre-fabricated door frame and casing of claim 5 wherein each of said jamb assemblies carry locator elements respectively disposed adjacent to the ends of each of said assemblies and adapted to engage, when inserted in said opening, respectively adjacent members defining said opening.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 21,001 2/1939 Beil et al. 20-l1 3,060,522 10/1962 Parker 20-ll 3,083,798 4/1963 Slrlar 20--ll X HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PARTIALLY ASSEMBLY, PRE-FABRICATED DOOR FRAME AND CASING COMPRISING A PAIR OF SIDE JAMB ASSEMBLIES EACH HAVING AN ELONGATED JAMB AFFORDING LATERAL EDGES AND OPPOSED CASING MEMBERS SECURED TO SAID EDGES AND OPPOSITELY LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDED SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORMLY BEYOND THE JAMB ENDS; A HEAD JAMB ASSEMBLY HAVING AN ELONGATED HEAD JAMB AND OPPOSED CASING MEMBERS SECURED TO THE LATERAL EDGES THEREOF, EACH CASING MEMBER PROVIDING OPPOSITE ENDS SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORMLY LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDED BEYOND THE HEAD JAMB AND HAVING CONFIGURATIONS TO ABUT THE UPWARDLY DISPOSED PROJECTING ENDS OF SAID SIDE CASINGS WHEN IN THE SELECTED INSTALLED POSITION SO THAT A MATCHED ANGULAR JOINT IS FORMED AT EACH ABUTTING END, SAID HEAD JAMB ASSEMBLY INCLUDING MEANS TO LIMIT MOVEMENT OF SAID SIDE ASSEMBLIES TOWARD EACH OTHER, AND MEANS SPACED FROM EACH END OF SAID SIDE ASSEMBLIES FOR ALTERNATIVE ABUTMENT WITH THE ENDS OF SAID HEAD ASSEMBLY TO DETERMINE A RESPECTIVE POINT OF ELEVATIONAL REFERENCE; AND DOOR MOUNTING MEANS SECURED TO ONE SIDE ASSEMBLY FOR SUPPORTING A RECTANGULAR DOOR FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT ABOUT SELECTIVE ALTERNATIVE VERTICAL AXES AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE FRAME WITH THE SELECTED UPPER EDGE OF THE DOOR IN A PREDETERMINED PLANE RELATIVE TO SAID POINT OF ELEVATIONAL REFERENCE. 